Bababa ba?

Do you know anyone who actually hasn’t “illegally” stolen from the internet? I don’t. Or well, at least I thought I didn’t. With the fast-growing technology in the world, it is highly inevitable to completely prevent the users from free downloading of software, music, images, and other applications created by other people. It has been made easy for everyone to access just about anything through the fingertips. That is why there have recurring issues on intellectual property rights and IT security due to the numerous cases of misuse of internet materials.

In a BA 180.1 class, a group discussed on these important topics which have given us light on the “real deal” of the legality of usage of the internet materials. Computer security aims to protect the personal information of the user, prevent theft and hacking by unwanted invaders, and to prevent other users from misusing the intellectual properties of people. Simultaneously, computer security also makes sure that the intended users are enjoying the high-quality functions of the systems. This feature has definitely helped millions of people from losing what they rightfully deserve.

Electronic Commerce, or e-Commerce, is fast becoming a trend in the world of trade today. E-Commerce involves the transactions of goods and services via the internet. It comes in different forms depending on the needs of the users. For example, Sir Pabellon who wants to order Playboy Magazine through Amazon.com would choose to use Consumer-to-Business (C2B) to accomplish his objectives. On the other hand, if Sir Pabellon would want to buy the complete set of the past Playboy issues from an individual seller online, he would likely choose Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C).

As seen in the case above, using e-commerce has a lot of advantages for both the business and the user. For one, the business operates 24/7, hence, the user can choose to purchase anytime he wants. Another big advantage of e-commerce is the efficiency and ease of the transaction. The parties concerned do not have to go through meeting personally just to close the deal. With just a click of a button, both parties can arrive at a negotiation. Some of the more popular e-commerce sites are eBay.com, Amazon.com, Sulit.ph, and PinoyAuctions.com.

Of course, with the popularity of the e-commerce going ever so quickly, some laws and regulations need to be applied. In the Philippines, the Republic Act 8792 aim to set the grounds for proper usage of the internet, and consequently, e-commerce. Some of the important articles are:

 Sec. 7. Legal Recognition of Electronic Documents. Electronic documents shall have the legal effect, validity or enforceability as any other document or legal writing as long as it can be authenticated
 Sec. 10. Original Documents. - (1) Where the law requires information to be presented or retained in its original form, that requirement is met by an electronic data message or electronic document if:
 the integrity of the information from the time when it was first generated in its final form shown by evidence aliunde or otherwise
 Same rules to written documents apply to electronic data or documents
 Sec. 12. Admissibility and Evidential Weight of Electronic Data Message and Electronic Documents. - In any legal proceedings, nothing in the application of the rules on evidence shall deny the admissibility of an electronic data message or electronic document in evidence on the sole ground that it is in electronic form

Source: Powerpoint on E-Commerce Law

This is definitely the “March to Hell” for me. I have never experienced so many exams to study for and deadlines to catch in such a short period of time. Why are the teachers making us suffer??? Why??!?!?

March 20
• BA 180.1 Final Exam
• BA 180.1 Blog Entries
March 21
• BA 99.2 Third Long Exam
March 23
• Econ 186 Paper Presentation
March 25
• Econ 151 Second Long Exam
• Econ 106 Second Long Exam
March 27
• BA 99.2 Final Exam
March 30
• Econ 191 Third Long Exam
• Econ 186 Final Paper Due Date

Seriously, kill me now. Anyone?
If I make it alive by the end of all of this, all drinks on me. HAHA!

In a BA 180.1 class, we were able to discuss about how to plan a computer program by the means of making diagrams. By constructing flowcharts, a programmer can outline his/her desired program by following a set of steps in the forms of shapes and arrows. With these, the programmer can have a model that systematically illustrates how his/her program will function, and with this as a guide, he/she can successfully set up the planned program. An internet application that is open to the public and can be used to create flowcharts is Gliffy.com. In our class, our groups were tasked to create flowcharts that show how the voting process occurs. With the help of my groupmates, we were able to successfully create a logical flowchart, and at the same time, have fun with the application.

I, myself, am not unknown to the flowchart construction activity. In my computer class in High School, we were assigned to create flowcharts of random daily activities that served as an introduction to our module. In what I remember, I was assigned to create a flowchart on how to brush my teeth. Although this step of creating a flowchart may seem too simple and dull to some, it is still very significant since it serves as the master plan to any brilliant program. It is like the blueprint to the Empire State Building or the recipe to the perfect crème brulee.

Flowcharts can also be used just for fun. This is an example of a humorous flowchart.



To see other funny flowcharts, you can visit: http://my.mmoabc.com/article/Punch/2310/The-Funniest-Flowcharts-on-the-Internet.html?login=no

In the last meeting, a group reported about a topic that is well-timed due to recent events: business process management. One method of BPM that was discussed was Total Quality Management or TQM. TQM is basically a business philosophy or culture wherein the company or organization strives to provide their customers with products or services that satisfy their need. This method requires high quality in all aspects of the company’s operations, with defects and wastes are eradicated from the operations system immediately. The high quality referred is defined relative to the customer’s expectations, which means that it could either be based on durability, ease of usage, cost, or other choices of measurement. Some of the more popular companies that are practicing TQM are Ford Motor Company, Motorola, Phillips Semiconductor, and the recently scandal-stricken Toyota Motor Company.

Toyota Motor Company is known to have been practicing Total Quality Management throughout the decades. Their famous principles, also known as “the Toyota Way”, include the importance of being a learning organization through relentless reflection and continuous improvement. Despite these paramount efforts, Toyota was still unable to completely avoid meltdowns, and was unfortunately hit with a massive scandal. In the later parts of last year, Toyota decided to recall almost 3.8 million vehicles in the USA due to malfunctioning accelerator pads. At first, they just presumed that the floor mats were merely blocking the accelerator pads from functioning properly. However, after a fatal accident that killed a California Highway Patrol Officer and three other members of his family, Toyota finally realized that it was indeed necessary for a call back. Popular vehicles such as the Toyota Camry, the luxury car Lexus, and the Toyota Prius are all part of recall.

Because of this huge mistake, Toyota has been greatly losing sales and good reputation. Some experts even believe that it will be very difficult for Toyota to rise again from this unexpected tragedy. Many are questioning what had gone wrong despite huge efforts of efficiency. Because of this, other similar companies using the same philosophy should be warned and be also asking themselves another important question: how total is total in their total quality management scheme?

*Source: www.bruneinews.net